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Not fibro, just stress??

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/28/2010 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Could constant stress mimic fibro, right down to the pressure points? 

I love my job, most of the time, but do not get along with my boss.  He is obviously OCD, among other things, and does little things all the time that make my job DIFFICULT. I am finding it hard to believe that he does not do these things intentionally, because he knows he has issues yet refuses to get treatment.

Everything I read about fibro says to try to reduce stress, stretch, eat right, etc.  I'm eating well, I'm exercising with a long walk at least 5 out of 7 days... could it be that I'm just not relieving the stress?  Obviously there are other stressors in my life, but this is by far the biggest one.  Can stress overload actually cause fibro?

I think that a job change may be in order, but worry that the added stress will just kick everything into overdrive.  I am so hesitant to change anything, because while I have been better lately I have also been worse. I don't want to go back there, for sure. My cautious personality is telling me to just hang on til I can't any more...but somedays, I just don't WANT to...

Any suggestions?? Send me some knowledge, please!! :)

Posted 5/28/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Stress can bring on Fibro and exacerbate it. When I am under alot of stress my whole body is in pain. I try not to put myself into stressful situations because I know that I will just get worse. Unfortunately it is hard to do all the time but I try.
Posted 5/28/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Stress can certainly bring on fibro. I have worked in the past at several very stressful jobs, and have had some pretty jerky bosses. I thrive on stability, so change is very difficult for me. This always made it very difficult for me to change jobs. It is sometimes helpful to list the pros and cons on a sheet of paper. This gives a visual, and something to focus on. Like Cherdox, I try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. I have gone from being a social worker in an extremely demanding job to running an in-home childcare center. We have had to make some sacrifices and be more flexible, but it is worth it. I am my own boss, can be selective about who I work with, and set my own hours. Late last summer, I started scaling back a great deal because my symptoms had worsened. This has allowed me to take time for myself, and it has made it much easer to control the fibro.
Posted 5/28/2010 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks both of you for your input. I am at the point right now of trying to decide which way to go with life... my job is VERY stressful (hosue closing anyone?) and it might be time to find something else to do... but money stress relating to any job change is my biggest factor. I am stuck in that I make good money and I don't have to go far to get to work, so I can walk. No winter snowbrushing, no commute, no gas expense, etc. I'm also local for my kids, as it seems that there is always SOMETHING that comes up. At a non-local job, I may not be available.

I'm just torn on what I would do if I went somewhere and it was even worse than it is here. Here, I KNOW what I put up with every day... can even anticipate it to some extent. I also know that since the boss is well aware of what he does, he gives me little no gruff if I need to go pick up a kid or run to a doctor's appt. I am lucky there, even if I can't seem to get vacation time.

I have a hard time with change, and I'm seriously worried that I'm going to push myself over the edge and bring the bad months back. Last summer was hell, and I would really like to enjoy this one. I am going to do the "pro-con" list and see where it gets me.

I'm tired of feeling that I'm darned if I do , and darned if I don't.
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